Goodbye 2012 - Hello 2013

What a year 2012 has been. So many events happened that it's hard thinking back and remembering everything. I have great thoughts and intentions for 2013. The most important thing is getting to marry my best friend in September. When we got engaged October 2011 it felt like an eternity when we picked our date of 9.7.13 but now here we are, 9 months away. yikes. The upcoming months I know are going to come and go in a whirlwind but one thing I do know, is I will cherish each day like I have been now. Each morning I wake up, I kiss my pup and Eric and I'm thankful for another day ahead. I think it's important to take goofy photos, take LOTS of photos of my pup, sing silly songs, and laugh a lot. Looking back at 2012 there are only a few moments that really jump out, but the blur of the year definitely shows lots of smiles and laughter. I've come to realize over the past few years that life is too short to be serious, get jealous easily, be insecure, or be grumpy. You don't know what you are getting tomorrow so you have to enjoy today. I think some people get rubbed the wrong way by me because I don't care. If you like me you like me, I'm not going to try and impress you. I'm living my life for me. I think 2012 was a year where I grew into my own skin even more. A new year always allows me to feel renewed. I'm not sure what it is, maybe since my birthday is so close to the new year it's almost like a new year, a new age, a fresh start.

Cheers to 2013. Cheers to turning 25. I can't imagine life getting any better but I have a feeling it's just begun. I've become closer with family members this year, I've learned a lot about myself. Most importantly though, I'm having the time of my life. Great friends, great family. I don't really have any real goals for 2013 other than to just continue to be me. I'd like to pull my creative side back to the surface but I know that will come in time. 2013 is about me doing more of what I love, more often. I hope you all have a happy new year and take each day as a blessing. Hug your family and friends, and most importantly take care of each other. Life can be great if we all just let the little things slide, and enjoy the ride. 

Much love.

xo

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say

I'd like to start this post in the Christmas spirit with my all time favorite holiday song, and Bing Crosby is my fav.

Also I'd like to note that Eric spilled a soda pop on my laptop months ago and my space bar sticks. It's great when it comes to typing up a new blog post. Which is why I won't say much, I'll just post some photos from the last week or so and say see ya! I'm off to go last minute Christmas shopping with my seeeeester (sister Jen). Wish us luck. please. I don't want to have to give anyone the angry eyes. But I'm sure I'll be getting plenty as I haven't showered yet today and I'm wearing sweats. No shame. None. :)

I finished off last weekend by being super productive. I've only had these frames for over a year, not sure what the itch was but I finally got them hung. Now to paint them all and put photos in. Hopefully it doesn't take me another year to do that. (They will be lined up after they are finished)

The beginning of the week there was this buzz about snow coming. Little did we know... *Draco* was on its way! 

Monday night, Eric and I went out to his grandma and grandpa Bradley's. They made this for us. It's a little stand. Seriously. How cute?!

Then this came...(but midnight Thursday instead of 6 pm)

Wednesday night when the snow started, Banksy and I went for a walk while Eric was playing hockey. That dog LOVES the snow. I had a heck of a time getting him to come in.

After all the snow fell...

Lots of couch snuggling. 

This guy hammered on his truck for 10 minutes because it was stuck. Finally someone stopped to help push. Eric and I just watched from the window. And laughed. How can you not?

This morning all I've done is snuggle with my pup. Why not?

and kisses of course.

xo

Friends Are Family

Eric and I started our weekend off a little early by both having off Friday. It was a nice day together. We upgraded our iPhone 4's to the iPhone 5. Of course I had to take a photo when we go in the car. Eric always has to joke with me about photos because I had over 2,000 on my phone.

Last night we went to the hockey game and then after we had our annual friends gift exchange. Drinks were drank and laughs were had. My cheeks hurt from laughing all night long. I have to say, my friends are pretty awesome. It's great as I get older to have a core group of friends that I can just be around. And when I say "be" its like you can just be. No fuss, no smoke and mirrors. We are just ourselves around each other and we have a good time. 

Fey sitting pretty looking all festive

The boys

This girl

Jake the snake

Obviously having a great time

We are so cool

We did our gift exchange and since we all have dogs Jake brought the gift of all gifts. a GIANT bone. Eric got the bone and we new Banksy would be in heaven. We went home and Banksy immediately knew we had something. We only let him munch on it for a few minutes but he sure was loving it.

This morning started off lazy. It was raining and Eric got up bright and early to play hockey. Banksy and I spent the morning snuggling and of course Banksy loved every second of it because he had half (or almost all) of the bed to spread out on. Sometimes thats all I need. Just a little morning snuggling with my warm pup.

Remember That Our Love Was True

7 years and a handful of months ago I met this guy. My best friend, the person that makes me laugh more than any other person, or any group of people combined. He gets me without me even speaking a word. I often catch myself thinking about how lucky I am to have him in my life. It's strange to think that we went to the same high school, knew the same people, went to the same place on Sundays for shows..."The Busted Lift" but it wasn't until that night that he had the urge to go up and talk to me. Life moves so fast that sometimes it's nice to pause and think back to all those important moments in time that change your life forever. We had so many other opportunities to meet one another but it wasn't until that night. I fully believe that the night we met was the one and only time we were meant to meet.

Winter always brings back these flooding memories. Those nights driving in your car, watching the snow fall down, listening to The Honorary Title and Armor For Sleep. We talked about anything and everything. We talked about our childhood, our families, our favorites movies. We shared with one another what makes our world go 'round. It wasn't long before I knew. But you knew first. I remember we were in your car. (The same car that you ran out of gas in when we went on a date and your mom was so pissed off because she had to bring you gas.) We were in your car at the stop light in key west. The windows were frosted because your crappy car had crappy heat! I always complained about that. You always knew how to just let me complain. You would look at me and smile, and then respond with some smart ass remark that would change the subject of whatever I was complaining about. But I remember sitting at that red light, lost in this world of happiness with music in the background, and you wrote...ITIFIL on the frosted window. I looked at you confused and you just nervously smiled at me as the light turned green. As we started driving my mind started swirling around trying to figure out what it meant and suddenly it clicked. It's not like I was supposed to get what it stood for right away but all of a sudden it was clear. You were too nervous to say it. It was- I think I fell in love. I don't know how I figured it out, but it was almost like I could read your mind only because I felt the same way.

Thinking back to that night reminds me of how far we have come, and how much further we have to go. Our journey together has just begun.

Where I Come From.

I was born January 9th 1988 in Mason City, Iowa. Although I loved my childhood, the best thing to happen to me was when we moved to Dubuque in 2000. I wasn't born here, but the place that really shaped who I am today is where my parents live now. I like to refer to it as the house on a hill down in the valley.

The reason I love this place so much is because it really let me explore my thoughts on this thing called life. In school I made friends pretty quick when we first moved here but shortly after I made these new "friends" I realized that they were more like enemies. There's nothing greater than being bullied right? I won't get into that. The thing is, we live in the country which was the biggest blessing of my life. I didn't realize it then but living out in the country allowed me to walk out my front door and get lost in nature. Living on several acres allowed me to just go. Me and our pup Lucky would go on walks through the woods, take photos, and just sit and think. I was able to look at the big picture. I was able to  grow as an individual at such a young age because of these woods, and tall grass. I didn't get caught up in the mall after school, or the movies. I was able to get caught up in the smell of the air, and the textures of the outdoors. There's just something about stepping out of the city and taking it all in. Life seems to slow down a bit and open up your eyes to the real things in life.

I'm so thankful that the memories I made here are still part of the air I breathe today. Each time I go out to my parents house I'm reminded of when I really discovered who I am. What makes me happy, and soothes my soul. It's crazy to think that next September...13 years after moving here, I will be able to marry my best friend on this very same land. All of my secrets and thoughts are in this land. The sky above I've looked up at so many times and asked questions about life and why things are the way they are. I wouldn't change a thing and I am so thankful of the memories I have made here.

I can't wait until the day I get to add more memories to this land with all of my family and friends. The day I get to say I do on this hill down in the valley.

xo

Hot Chocolate Reminiscing - First snowfall of 2012

Sunday December 9th 2012 - The first snowfall. :)

I went to bed Saturday night knowing we were "supposed" to get snow, but when I pulled up the blinds on our window this morning I was pleasantly surprised that we got snow, and a good amount of it! Everything was covered in the white fluffy stuff. :) Banksy noticed and was soon enough glued to the window watching the snowflakes fall down. It wasn't long before he was barking obnoxiously to be let out.

Checking out the snow.

Banksy and I took 4 different trips outside the first 2 hours of the day. I would toss the snow and he would jump up and eat it. This guy just LOVES the snow! I'll never forget the first snowfall last year with Banksy seeing it for the first time. This year it was only seconds before he remembered how much he loved it and was excitedly running around in our backyard. There's just something so peaceful about the silence the snow brings. I stood there watching him and smiling. His excitement makes me so happy. :)

Just look at this face! 

We wrote a message in the snow for Eric. :) I text him the picture and he responded with "I watched you write this! :)" I can only imagine how goofy I looked playing with B boy in the snow.

The rest of the day was spent grocery shopping, cleaning, sloppy joe eating, and baking. (Previous post has cookie recipe)

Now I'm sitting on the couch with my pup, sipping on some hot chocolate. Hot chocolate always brings back so many memories of childhood. We would go outside and play in the snow with all of my neighbors and when we came inside for the night my mom always had hot chocolate waiting for us. In Iowa State mugs of course. ;) She always made the best hot chocolate. It felt like it went straight to my soul, made with love from mom. We would sit at the island in the kitchen and share our stories from outside. These are the types of things I'm so looking forward to sharing with my kids some day. It's not about how big your house is, or what brand of clothing you wear. It's the memories that really do burn into your soul, make you who you are, and give you the appreciation for the little things in life. I'm so thankful for these little memories that make a big impact on my life now in my 20's. 

xo

Forgotten Kiss Cookie

This happened today..."Forgotten Kiss Cookie" (click for recipe)

This was one of the first recipes I ever pinned on Pinterest and today I decided to give it a try for the holidays. :)

+

+

+

=

So easy and SOOOO good. :)

xo

Christmas Cheer for all to hear. :)

December is in full swing! 2012 has been so amazing! I plan on soaking up all that December has to offer. :) This is the 2nd year Eric and I have been in our home together so we are just getting into the groove of our holiday traditions. I loved the holiday's growing up. I always had so much to look forward to!

First off, it wasn't Christmas time without my grandmothers famous peanut clusters! They were the best! If we couldn't make it there for Christmas she would send some our way. yummm.

So you're probably thinking...Barbie in her pink convertible? No...I didn't get it for Christmas (that I can remember) But I was kind of obsessed with lights and our tree. I remember specifically one Christmas my mom let me take all of my Barbies and play under the tree on Christmas eve. There weren't any gifts under the tree yet because Santa hadn't come yet. (duh) I remember laying under the lights driving my Barbie around and making up some imaginary story having so much fun. I played for so long under that tree that I fell asleep and woke up the next morning in bed, all of my barbies were put away and present were magically under the tree. I was so confused and excited at the same time. Thanks mom! :)

Speaking of lights and pretty trees, growing up my mom always had the best decor for our house. (For the 90's that is LOL) It has definitely influenced me and inspired me to decorate my own home, in my own unique way. She always did and still does, decorate with lots of lights and lots of love. I like to think that I do the same. :)

Cheers to happy holidays, and time with loved ones. 

xo

What makes YOU happy?

I went to the store today and noticed as I was walking in how many people I saw looking, well, unhappy. It got me thinking how grateful I feel on a daily basis of all the things in my life that genuinely make me happy. I fully believe that YOU have the power to choose your own happiness no matter what your situation. There are some people that have absolutely nothing and they can still be so content and happy with what they have. Then there are others that seem to have it all, and they don't know how to be happy. What makes YOU happy? Do you think you can choose your own happiness no matter what your situation is?

Today, try and make the best of what your day gives you. You may be surprised that when you tell yourself and set your mind to be happy, you may just feel happy. :)

Here are a few things that make me happy. 

This face

The way Eric is with our pup, makes me more excited to see him as a father someday. :)

Naps that look like this. 

When my kitchen is this clean. A clean house = a clean mind.

Makeup. End of story. 

Christmas decorations. 

xo